Archive for February, 2023
Joy, Joy, Joy
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.” John 15: 11
Happiness is dependent in large part on externals. Joy is the surprising by-product of an intimate relationship with Jesus.
The deeper the relationship with Jesus, the fuller the joy. Conversely, when the joy runs out the relationship has been allowed to run down. Is your joy brimful? Our adversities give occasion for joy to bloom as a lovely flower in a sidewalk crack.
Even persecution for Jesus’ sake enhances our joy. Jesus said, “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5: 11)
As the branch can’t keep from producing what the vine provides, so we will inevitably reveal the qualities of Jesus that flow through us.
If you are a Christian and joy is absent from your life, there is a reason. It is simply that you have become more circumstance-centered than Christ-centered.
Disobedience to Jesus drains life of its joy. David learned this bitter lesson and serves as an example. When he repented of his sin, he cried to God, “Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation.” (Psalms 51: 12) When he greedily sought happiness, he lost his joy.
In Psalm 51:2 he prayed for cleansing and in verse 7 he pleaded for purification. Then he prayed for the joy which follows such cleansing. (Vss. 8 & 12) Confessing consequences in cleansing which gave occasion for joy.
David in fellowship with the Lord declared, “In Your presence is fullness of joy.” (Psalm 16:11)
The prophet Jeremiah stood and looked over the desolation of Jerusalem resulting from God’s judgment on the sins of His people. His lament was “The joy of our heart is ceased….” (Lamentations 5: 15). A judgment heavier than the desolation of the city was the departure of joy from the people resulting from sin in their lives. One of God’s judgments on His people was to replace the joyful note of the singer with the doleful dirge of the mourners.
Later Jeremiah recorded a source of renewed joy: “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight….” (Jeremiah 15:16) The reference to eating the word of the Lord means to assimilate and digest it.
A life in Jesus is a life of joy. A religion that wears grave clothes begs to be buried, and the sooner the funeral the better.
The basis of our joy is expressed by Jesus in John 15: 4 and again in verse 7. “Abide in me…” Abiding and obeying are the essentials for joy.
Joy is Jesus’ antidote for emptiness, hollowness, and loneliness. This joy is a wonderful by-product of fellowship with Jesus. Make this day, and every day a day of fellowship with the Lord.
How to Be Victorious in Spiritual Warfare 9/14/03
Ephesians 6:10-17
JESUS CHRIST, “the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil” (I John 3: 8).
The work Satan has been doing from the dawn of creation is described in this same verse: “…the devil sinned from the beginning.”
In the wilderness after His baptism, Jesus met Satan one on one and won. In that wilderness confrontation the devil attacked Christ at the three most vulnerable points we human beings have. In each instance Christ applied Scripture and gained the victory.
Throughout His life on earth, these two supernatural superpowers met time and again and in each instance Christ emerged the victor.
Their last confrontation was on Calvary’s cross. There it appeared Satan finally body-slammed Christ and won the ultimate victory as symbolized by the tomb in which the lifeless body of Christ lay. Christ was indeed down — but decidedly not out. In the resurrection He conquered sin, death, and the devil.
Summarily, Colossians 1: 13, 14 says: “He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in Whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sin.” Thus, we share Christ’s victory.
For a number of years we lived on the West Bank in New Orleans. Near our home was a massive earthen rampart. It was part of the defense line in the battle of New Orleans. Here the rag-tag army of pirates and pioneers under the command of Andrew Jackson met the formidable British forces that had defeated Napoleon at Waterloo. A horrendous battle followed with Jackson’s forces victorious.
What wasn’t known in New Orleans that day was the war was over – the British had already surrendered. Communication in that day was so limited the word had not arrived in the Crescent City and the battle was enjoined.
Spiritually we find ourselves in that same posture today. Christ has won the spiritual war. We, however, remain to engage in the mopping-up action. As the forces of Jackson fought like the outcome of the war depended on them, so we must “fight the good fight.”
Every believer is perpetually engaged in spiritual warfare. As in time of war there are war zones and contested zones where the battle isn’t raging at the moment. I saw a graphic example of this in Lebanon where a bloody civil war raged for years. On our landing approach to the Beirut airport our flight pattern took us in over downtown Beirut where buildings could be seen smoldering and vehicles bombed out and burning in the streets. Our flight pattern continued over other sections of the city, one of which was a golf course on which persons were playing. The two areas were close enough so that when we landed we could see the golf course and hear the guns downtown.
Some were literally struggling for their lives at that moment being in the war zone while others seemed uninvolved. Even those that appeared detached would find the time they would be involved in the heat of battle.
That depicts the Christian experience. There are times various ones of us are in the spiritual war zone and other times there is a lull in the action. Does it ever seem to you your lulls are too few and far between?
This spiritual warfare isn’t World War I style where opposing armies wear easily identifiable uniforms and occupy well-marked battle lines in trenches. It is more the Vietnam guerilla warfare type where confusion as to who the enemy is prevails. For that reason God, in His wisdom, helps us identify our enemy in our text: Ephesians 3: 12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood….” That is, our real enemy isn’t human beings.
Our real enemy isn’t the people who adhere to counter-Christian concepts. We have a tendency to center in on them and fail to realize that they have lost the battle against the real one we are contesting — the devil.
Our real enemy isn’t one another as believers, though sometimes we act as though we are. As a student of history there is an account that helps me keep this fact in focus.
On July 29, 1588, Philip II of Spain sent his Invincible Armada, consisting of over 100 warships, against the greatly out manned British fleet just off the coast of the French port of Gravelines.
The commanding British admiral walked on deck of his flagship just before the battle and found two of his junior officers engaged in a heated quarrel. He grabbed both of then by the nape of the neck and forcing their faces seaward toward the approaching Spanish Armada forcefully said: “Gentlemen, there is your enemy.”
By means of our text our Lord would direct our attention to our true enemy, our adversary, the devil.
There are certain roles most of us encounter as children growing up. Remember the bully? How about the tattletale? Well, was there one in your class who enjoyed starting arguments or fights and then stepped aside and watch the fight? That is the devil. In many instances he knows he isn’t going to be fought against because he diverts attention from himself and causes us to select the wrong enemy instead of him.
Our text says we are engaged in spiritual warfare. The forces of evil are organized for this conflict. Note – – –
I. THE DESIGN
A. “PRINCIPALITIES,” translates the Greek term “ARCHON.” The title emerged in the time of Pericles. It was a reference to the most powerful leader in the land. Satan of course is the Commanding Officer. He has organized his demonic horde for spiritual warfare. An archon is the equivalent of a field general in charge of a certain operation. Principalities are very powerful and authoritative demons.
B. “THE RULERS OF DARKNESS OF THIS AGE,” translates the Greek word “KOSMOKRATOR.” The word comes from a combination of two words. KOSMOS meaning world or universe, and KRATOR meaning ruler. Literally, “world rulers of darkness.” These are the devil’s special forces. They are assigned to work on world rulers and important people in society.
C. “SPIRITUAL WICKEDNESS IN HIGH PLACES,” actually means “the spirits of evil in the heavenlies.” This is that massive horde of demons that still work on all of us. This is the rank and file of demons that perpetually attack believers. They are Satan’s foot soldiers.
Their primary assignment is to work in the field of religion.
Confusing the issue is the fact Satan often masquerades as an angel of light. His demonic horde is also comprised of masters of deceit. They even have the capacity of performing “signs and wonders.”
Christ encountered one of these deceivers in the Gadarenean demoniac who had the capacity to speak. Such a demon is called an EGGASTRIMUTHOS demon, which means a ventriloquist demon.
How then are we mere mortals to combat this awesome force?
II. THE DEFENSE
When Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit penned our text in Ephesians 6, he was in prison. Perhaps he was glancing up at a Roman guard and observing various parts of his uniform as he described our defense. Roman praetorian guards personified the power of Rome.
God’s instruction is:
Take it up – all of it.
Put it on = all of it.
Keep it on = all of it.
A. STAND THEREFORE HAVING GIRDED YOUR WAIST WITH TRUTH (Vs. 14).
The waist is a vital and vulnerable mid-section of the torso. The Roman soldiers wore a wide leather belt not unlike those worn by weight lifters. It was to support and strengthen abdominal muscles in time of battle.
This belt was also utilitarian. Attached were loops, hooks, and rings which held such items as a length of rope, a sword, a mace, a sack carrying food and other functional items. Being around the waist made these items immediately available.
The Greek word translated “truth” is ALETHEIA. It signifies that which lies at the base; the real essence of the matter. It is a reference to doctrine. A knowledge of doctrine is essential to survival in spiritual warfare.
If we are going to confront the devil, “the father of all lies,” we must do it with the truth.
B. THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS (VS. 14B)
If you were going into combat had you rather have a T-shirt or body armor, had you rather be riding in a golf cart or an armored tank? So in spiritual combat we need the best protection.
The breastplate of the Roman soldier covered only his shoulders and vital organs. It didn’t cover the arms as that later worn by British knights. The arms were free for protection and productivity.
“Righteousness” means meeting God’s standard and being right with God. It means being able to relate to God and having access to Him. Our righteousness must be alien righteousness. Alien, simply means “someone else, someone very different.” It means someone alien to me transfers His righteousness to me. That one is Christ. The righteousness referred to here is the righteousness of Christ. Our righteousness is referred to as “filthy rags.” Rags make poor armor.
The Greek word DIKAIOSUNE, here translated “righteousness,” in old English was translated “rightwiseness.” The spelling conveys the meaning. It meant to be right with God the Father by having the righteousness of Christ applied to your account.
His righteousness must be imputed to us. This is a term meaning credited to our account. When we commit to Him His righteousness is transferred to us. It becomes our righteousness.
Once His righteousness is imputed to you His righteous character begins to be imparted to you. That is, His character begins to become part of your character. You grow in grace.
In “Lord of the Rings” by J.R.R. Tolkien the character Frodo has a mithril coat that provides powerful protection. More than once it saves his life. In addition to providing protection it is light and lovely. Frodo’s coat is so valuable that it is worth all the wealth of the entire shire, the region where he lives. Frodo could never have made such a coat nor could he have purchased it. Someone else made it. He received it as a gift. So it is with the breastplate of righteousness.
C. HAVING SHOD YOUR FEET WITH PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE (VS. 15).
In Greek mythology Achilles had a foot problem. He had a body that could not be injured. As an infant he was dipped by his mother in the river Styx in an attempt to make him immortal. However, Thetis held her baby by the heel and that part of his body was not touched by the magic water.
Achilles grew into a mighty warrior. He defeated his most fierce enemies at Troy, even the mighty Hector. No weapon could harm him. Paris, Prince of Troy, shot a poisoned arrow into the air. It struck Achilles in his one vulnerable spot, his heel, and killed him.
Many Christians loose spiritual battles because they have a foot problem. Satan exploits their weakness.
The type sandal worn by a Roman soldier was known as a “caligula.” It was very much like our modern sandals with the exception that it had iron cleats not unlike a track shoe. It enabled the soldier to be sure-footed. The soldier could be on the offensive by moving quickly without fear of falling.
Believers are to be on the offensive if we expect to win in our spiritual warfare. Our offense is “the gospel of peace.”
To have your feet shod with the gospel of peace means to be ready to stand firm and fight Satan. It even means to move into enemy territory and take it for Christ.
Put on the combat boots of peace and wage peace. Fight the enemy, not one another. Satan loves to stir up disputes among God’s people. A dispute here, a little grudge there, a little gossip there and by his wiles Satan wins the victory over the church.
D. THE SHIELD OF FAITH (VS. 16).
Faith is our shield against the fiery darts of the devil. This depicts believers as under attack. Faith is our shield.
The fiery darts are from “the wicked one.” This translates the Greek HO PONEROS meaning a specific adversary, the devil.
Satan fires flaming arrows of doubt, dispute, temptation, and confusion. Faith shields against all of Satan’s arrows. Faith is the ability to apply what we believe instantly in order to repel every doubt Satan attempts to use.
E. THE HELMET OF SALVATION (VS. 17).
Certain characteristics of salvation are depicted by the Roman helmet. I saw one of these exquisitely crafted helmets in a Roman museum. Some characteristics associated with salvation:
-It was lined with leather. The first reference to animal skins being used as clothing related to Adam and Eve immediately after their sin. The lamb was slain, pictorial of the ultimate slaying of the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ.
-The helmet was made of brass, a strong metal affording protection. Christ secures and protects our salvation.
-On top of the helmet was a small crown emblematic of the authority of Rome. The Christian is crowned with the crown of righteousness provided by Christ.
-The helmet had a chin strap to hold it secure. Christ is our security.
F. THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT (VS. 17).
When Rome set out on world conquests they used long awkward swords and lost most battles. They then changed to a short two- edged sword called a “machaira.” By engaging in close-up hand to hand combat they conquered vast regions.
“The sword of the spirit” is in the genitive case meaning “the sword from the Spirit.” “The Word of God” is the sword.
G. PRAYER (VS. 18).
No believer is ever successful in spiritual warfare who does not have a vibrant prayer life. It is our means of reporting to our Commander and receiving orders from Him.
Our Korean brothers and sisters in Christ are worthy examples in prayer. They begin each day at 4:30 a.m. in prayer. Every Friday night they pray from 7:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. For months one lady showed up with her husband’s shoes. He was not a Christian and she came to pray for his salvation. She brought his shoes each time saying, “Someday he will be here.” After more than a year he came to know Christ and now prays with her every Friday night.
In Papua, New Guinea they have a uniformed patrol. They wear badges stating: “Prayer and Peace.” Whenever a community is having trouble, instead of sending in the police, they send in the “Prayer and Peace Patrol” to pray for the troubled area. It’s working.
Let’s not fail to utilize the resource of prayer.
Rescue at Sea
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8: 10
“Strength” translates to the Hebrew word “maoz” meaning “fortress.” Joy is a stronghold of the Lord. In this fortress a New Testament principle prevails.
“Let the peace of God rule in your heart.” (Col. 3: 15)
Robert Louis Stevenson said: “Quiet minds cannot be perplexed or frightened but go on in good fortune or misfortune at their own private pace like the ticking of a clock during a thunderstorm.”
This indicates the life of joy is the intent of the Father.
A classic example of this came out of World War II. A true American hero and his young companions were shot down over the Pacific Ocean. Captain Eddie Rickenbacker and his crew were adrift on their tiny raft for 21 days. When asked how they survived he said, “We prayed.”
For days their bodies were cooked by the scorching sun. Heat, hunger, and exhaustion brought them to a breaking point. Rickenbacker learned to pray as a child at his mother’s knee. She thus gave him one of the greatest of gifts. It was in effect once again unwrapped on that raft. On the eighth day of their ordeal they were hungry, thirsty, and fearful for their lives. In this hopeless condition he read from his pocket New Testament these words of Jesus: “Take no thought for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor yet for your body, what you shall put on it … But seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6: 25 & 33)
Needing food and water for their parched bodies they resolved instead to fix their minds on Christ and His righteousness.
What happened next they concluded to be a miracle. Out in that vast ocean miles from any land a seagull landed on Rickenbacker’s head providing food and fish bait for further food. Then came their first rainstorm providing fresh water. Believing God to be with them they calmed down and prayed with renewed confidence.
They continued to drift for two weeks, but clung to that text. To be rescued a plane would have to fly right over them in order to see them in that vast ocean. Sure enough one did, affording their rescue.
After their rescue they said they “let the peace of God rule” in their hearts. This brings great joy to strengthen all who do so. They had a fortress in the middle of the ocean. Obviously the King was in residence.
Are you spiritually, like Rickenbacker, a drift in a shoreless sea? Practice the principle they employed and you, too, can experience the peace that passes understanding in your turbulence.
Kindness – Part Two
“….the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man….” Titus 3: 4
Kindness makes a person feel good whether it is done to him or by him.
Affirmation is a type of kindness. Let me appeal to you to become one who affirms other. Find something kind to say to people you encounter. You can find something, and some good way to say it if you look for it.
Wives are masters at this art. One wife, given an absolutely unusable and unwanted birthday gift, responded, “You got me exactly what I needed to exchange for what I want.”
Learn and speak the vocabulary of kindness — nobody resents kind words.
You can be sure that every person you meet is fighting a difficult battle. Kindness will help them win.
A kind word picks up a man when trouble weighs him down.
In considering kindness it is wise to consider what it isn’t.
1. It isn’t always agreeing with a person. It is how you agree or disagree. It is disagreeing without being disagreeable.
2. It isn’t always doing what a person wants you to do. It is how you say “no.”
3. It isn’t always giving a person what they want. The kindest thing might be to not give them what they want in a kind manner.
4. It isn’t to be confused with cowardice. When expedient, a kind person isn’t afraid to confront a person or position out of sync with the will and word of God. Kindness has to do with the way in which the confrontation is conducted.
5. It isn’t, on behalf of a parent, a refusal to discipline. It has to do with the manner and means of discipline. Jesus reproved and corrected the faults of His disciples, but He did it with kindness.
Though always kind to us, God doesn’t always agree with us, do what we want, or give us what we want.
Be prepared to be considered by some folks to be classified as unkind if you don’t agree with them, if you don’t do what they want, and if you don’t give them what they ask no matter how kind you are.
Are you confident and at ease enough to show kindness when others aren’t? Do you have enough love, joy, peace, and longsuffering to let kindness become a character trait?
Don’t expect to enjoy life if you keep the milk of human kindness all bottled up.
Make it a daily habit to “be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.” (Ephesians 4: 32)
Kindness – Part One
“….be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you.” Ephesians 4: 34
Jesus set in place a new world order for all ages. It is the kingdom of God. Where there is a kingdom there must be a king. Where there is a king and a kingdom there must be subjects.
When a loving king reigns and His loyal subjects obey, they take on the characteristics of their monarch.
We profess Christ to be the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. We pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as in heaven….”
The Greek word in Scripture that is translated kindness is “chrestotes” meaning moral goodness. The biblical emblem of kindness is Jesus.
There are many jokes about persons who “don’t do.” For example: “I don’t do dishes.” “I don’t do windows.”
Think what blessings would have been missed by certain persons if they had an exclusive don’t do list. What if – – –
Noah had said, “I don’t do arks.”
David had said, “I don’t do giants.”
Mary had said, “I don’t do virgin births.”
Mary Magdalene had said, “I don’t do feet.”
Paul had said, “I don’t do letters.”
Jesus had said, “I don’t do crosses.”
Kindness prompts us to be considerate of another’s welfare, character, and general well being. By that description, are you a kind person?
George Whitfield and John Wesley were contemporary spiritual giants. They held several beliefs that were in conflict. They had several major theological differences. A reporter once asked Wesley if he expected to see Whitfield in heaven.
“No, I certainly don’t,” replied Wesley instantly.
“Well, then,” said the reporter, “do you think Mr. Whitfield is a converted man?”
“Of course he is a converted man,” said Wesley, “but I don’t expect to see him in heaven because he will be so close to the throne of God that from the distance I will be I will not be able to see him.”
He disagreed with Whitfield on doctrine, but was kind to him as a brother. He was gentle with his reputation and would do nothing to impugn his character.
Listed among the fruit of the Spirit is kindness. Go bear fruit today and earn a reputation of being a kind person. The King deserves such a representative.